(Arsenal 4–0 Everton) Sean Dyche and Everton kept Arsenal’s stars in check for a long time – but then “The Gunners” showed their class.
The clock ticked slowly but surely towards 40 minutes at the Emirates, without either team having created any major scoring chances.
But then Oleksandr Zintchenko took responsibility:
The Ukrainian, who in the previous league match was allowed to borrow the captain’s armband from Martin Ødegaard, wandered from his left-back position to the opposite side of the field before he found Bukayo Saka in front of goal in a delicious manner.
The Englishman knocked in 1-0, and his 10th league goal this season, from close range.
And then it really took off for the home team.
Two minutes into overtime of the first half, things got a little chaotic when Ødegaard went to the ground and Arsenal called for a free kick. Referee Michael Oliver waved play on – but an inattentive Idrissa Gueye on his way to his own goal did not notice that Saka and Martinelli were hunting behind him:
Saka was able to tip the ball on to his line-mate – and then Martinelli could easily make it 2-0 and league goal number 10 this season.
The second half was a pure charmer’s stage for the hosts – and 20 minutes before full-time, Martin Ødegaard also got to join the party.
Leandro Trossard pulled himself free on the left wing and cut in again in front of goal. There, the Drammenser waited to end a seven-game goal drought – and added 3-0.
Ødegaard now has nine goals in the league this season.
Gabriel Martinelli rounded off the goal celebration by scoring 4–0.
The win, the third straight in the league, ensures that Arsenal are five points behind Manchester City.
Both teams have now played the same number of games, and there are only 13 rounds remaining.
For Everton and manager Sean Dyche, it is starting to look heavy at the bottom of the table. “The Toffees” won their first two games under the ring fox, but have now lost three straight and are in the last relegation place.